Catcher Julia Mattiace was among five seniors who contributed to the Oak Park and River Forest High School softball team’s third-place Class 4A state softball finish in 2023.
At two state games as a sophomore, Mattiace had one at-bat as the backup to all-stater Tyler Brock.
“Obviously every single player on the team is important. [But] it’s not the best to sit on the bench,” Mattiace said. “I really felt like this time I could do this for my sophomore self who wanted to [play] so bad.”
With the Huskies again in the 4A state third-place game, Saturday, Mattiace delivered a hit to remember. Her two-out, three-run double completed the four-run sixth inning that rallied the Huskies for a 6-5 victory over Lockport and third place again in Peoria.
“I wanted that chance that I just got. I worked hard for that,” said Mattice, who had five runs batted in. “It was fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my season. [That double] was the top of the tops because the playoffs is what matters. I went out with a bang.”
The Huskies (30-8) overcame Friday’s 13-2 six-inning semifinal loss to state champion Oswego (38-2). They also avenged the 16-4 April 12 defeat to Lockport (31-11), their other double-digit loss.
“I’m so proud of these girls. We bounced back really, really good,” OPRF coach JP Coughlin said. “These seniors have left a legacy.”
Seniors Maura Carmody, Elyssa Hasapis, Gloria Hronek and Anna Topel joined Mattiace as third-year varsity returnees from the 2023 state team.
Mattiace, Hronek, Hasapis and senior Sofia Ayala (RBI single) were 2-for-4 and scored runs in Saturday’s 12-hit attack. Carmody doubled and Topel and juniors Leia Hammerschmidt and pinch-hitter Georgia Godellas singled and led to runs.
Oak Park-River Forest High School pitcher Anna Topel gets ready to throw against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. (Courtesy of Mark C. Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest High School pitcher Molly Chambers throws towards the plate against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. (Courtesy of Mark C. Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest High School third baseman Gloria Hronek swings against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. (Mark C. Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest High School’s Maura Carmody makes contact against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. (Courtesy of Mark C. Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest High School catcher Julia Mattiace encourages her teammates after reaching base against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. (Mark C. Regan) 
Oak Park-River Forest High School pitcher Carolyn Rainey winds up before throwing against Oswego in an IHSA Class 4A softball semifinal, June 13. ( Courtesy odf Mark C. Regan)
Winning pitcher Topel (10-1) threw a complete game six-hitter to climax her miraculous return from breaking her right pitching wrist, March 26.
“We came back after a tough loss and this just feels so good. We deserved to be here and I’m so proud of us,” Carmody said.
“We knew this was going to be our last game regardless and we were going to leave it all out there. I have to say right now, nothing can top this.”
In the final Illinois Coaches Association Softball 4A state rankings May 18, the Huskies just missed the top 20. Oswego, Lockport and second-place Barrington (35-4-1) were Nos. 3, 5 and 7, respectively.
“We finished third in conference. And to finish third in the state,” Coughlin said. “Everybody just tells me how easy our path is. Now we proved ourselves. We can play with anybody. We have a bunch of losses but even without Anna we were going toe-to-toe with the top teams.”
Shortstop Hasapis was named first-team 4A all-state by the Illinois Softball Coaches Association. The St. Joseph recruit hit a team-best .586 with 42 runs batted in and a team-best 64 runs scored.
“All of us as a team, the seniors, really worked hard for this. Especially for our senior year, ending it with a win feels fantastic,” Hasapis said.
Center-fielder Carmody (.504, team-high 11 home runs and 59 RBIs) was second-team all-state and will play at Dayton. Third-team all-state were third baseman Hronek (.474, 57 runs), who will play at Carleton, and Mattiace (.379, team-high 11 HRs, 47 RBIs), who will play at MIT. Topel (.491) will play at Babson.
“I especially hope that we as a class showed love to our underclassmen to foster a more inclusive and positive community,” Mattiace said.
On Saturday, Hasapis made the defensive play of the game in the second. Lockport scored three runs to lead 3-1 and had the bases loaded with two outs. No. 3 hitter Kelcie McGraw ripped a liner, but Hasapis dove to her left for a big-league caliber catch, saving at least two runs. Hasapis and McGraw are travel softball teammates.
“I was shifted up the middle. I know her really well and where she hits the ball,” she said. “I just had to put my body on the line for it, which obviously is fine. I’m just really happy I caught the ball.”
Topel persevered against a challenging strike zone. After back-to-back walks started the Porters’ two-run fifth for their 5-2 lead, Topel delivered 1-2-3 innings in the sixth and seventh.
Consecutive singles by Hammerschmidt, Godellas and Ayala began the sixth-inning comeback. Hasapis’ high-hop infield single loaded the bases.
“Every time there’s a big play, even a great defensive play, we really use the energy and momentum to work back the runs,” Ayala said. “This is like the best feeling ever. My teammates, friends on varsity two years ago kept saying how much they wanted to come back to state and how it was just unlike anything during the season. I’m really happy I got to experience that with this team.”
Freshman right-fielder Charlie Terry made a diving catch in the sixth and another Friday. With Oswego leading 8-0, Terry’s two-run double in the fourth scored Hammerschmidt and junior courtesy runner Bella Saylor.
“We wanted a different [higher] trophy, but Oswego is a machine. They’re that good,” said Coughlin,who could easily smile Saturday despite stomach flu since Thursday. He still needed to repair the punctured tire on his car that was stolen while OPRF played its regional opener.
“It’s been rough playoffs for my car but I’ll take it,” Coughlin said.